Replies to post #174991 on Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

Re: HCV prevalence in US

Neither new data nor the previous study include people in prison, where hepatitis C rates are higher, or the homeless.

Oops—that’s a pretty serious omission. The homeless may be hard to track down, but the prison population isn’t.

[DewDiligence]

Medicare/Medicaid (CMS) proposes to cover HCV screening for US residents born between 1945 and 1965 inclusive (h/t @AndyBiotech):

http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/nca-proposed-decision-memo.aspx?NCAId=272

[DewDiligence]

Medicare will cover HCV screening for high-risk individuals and everyone born in 1945-1965:

http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/nca-decision-memo.aspx?NCAId=272

1. A screening test is covered for adults at high risk for Hepatitis C Virus infection. “High risk” is defined as persons with a current or past history of illicit injection drug use; and persons who have a history of receiving a blood transfusion prior to 1992…

2. A single screening test is covered for adults who do not meet the high risk as defined above, but who were born from 1945 through 1965.

Item #2 is consistent with the CDC’s prior screening recommendation.

It was reported three months ago that CMS was considering this coverage (#msg-98259397); now it’s official.